Bishop George Lucas shakes hands with students after the Mission Mass Oct. 1 at Little Flower Church in Springfield. St. Isidore School in Farmersville and St. Elizabeth Parish School of Religion in Marine in their respective categories gave the highest per capita contributions to the Holy Childhood Association in the 2007-2008 school year. The top five Catholic schools and top five PSRs were announced at the annual Mission Mass celebrated by Bishop George J. Lucas in Springfield on Oct. 1.
With the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception closed for a year-long renewal and restoration, the Mission Mass was held at the Church of the Little Flower.
"It is a pleasure and a privilege to be here with you today on the feast of the Little Flower," Bishop Lucas said to the more than 525 students from Catholic schools and PSRs from throughout the diocese who were there with teachers and parents.
Concelebrating Mass were Msgrs. Carl Kemme and John Ossola, and Fathers Thomas Meyer, Joseph Ring and Daniel Willenborg. Father Christopher House was master of ceremonies. The children's choir at Little Flower led the singing.
"This day is always a thrill for me," Vicki Compton, director of the Office for the Mission, said at the awards presentation. "All of us gathered here today united by a common purpose makes me so proud to work for the diocese - so proud to be a Catholic. Because this celebration today is all about what we as Catholics do - love God and love each other. That's what mission work is all about - loving God and loving each other and spreading it around the world."
The Catholic schools recognized in addition to first place St. Isidore are: St. Mary School, Paris, second; St. Louis School, Nokomis, third; Cathedral School, Springfield, fourth, and Blessed Sacrament School, Springfield, fifth.
The PSRs recognized in addition to first place St. Elizabeth are: St. James, Riverton, second; Cathedral, Springfield, third; St. Charles, Charleston, fourth, and St. Mary, Pittsfield, fifth.
For the first time ever, two schools were awarded Spirit Awards - Little Flower School and St. Agnes School, both in Springfield. All schools and PSRs are eligible to win the award, for which they nominate themselves.
"The selection committee just could not determine a single winner this year," said Compton. "In one case (St. Agnes) the judges were inspired by the long-term commitment the school children have made to a young boy in India." For four years they have sent a monthly stipend to pay for the boy's education. "The students receive periodic reports and have had the pleasure of seeing him grow in knowledge and faith over the years. This commitment is in addition to being faithful and generous supporters of the Holy Childhood Association," said Compton.
"Our other winner (Little Flower) inspired our judges for the comprehensive nature of their project. Beginning with the International Day for Peace in September and ending with an International Food Festival in February, these students were ambassadors of peace within their school community and beyond. Students in all grades enjoyed activities that expanded their appreciation for different cultures and extended their understanding of peace."
After Mass, the students were treated to a free lunch served in the Little Flower School cafeteria, provided by the Staab family of Staab Funeral Home in Springfield. "Bishop Lucas joined them for lunch, and he was thrilled to be able to spend time with the students, eating lunch with them and talking and taking pictures," said Compton. "He was the last one to leave."